Re: Salt water cap basics.

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "David Rieben" <drieben-at-midsouth.rr-dot-com> 

Hi Colin,

First of all, yes salt water is a conductor and that is the reason that
it is used in "salt water" capacitors. The salt water acts as one of,
or both, of the plates of the capacitors. I think maybe you're thinking
of the salt water acting as the dielectric. The dielectric is the glass or
plastic bottle(s) of the capacitor. However, since salt water acts as
the plates of the capacitor, you want it to be as good of a conductor
as possible and this is why most salt water caps are filled with salt
water that's as concentrated or briny as possible. Distilled water
would make a poor choice as a "plate" material for this type of
capacitor because of its low conductivity.

David Rieben

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 12:14 AM
Subject: Salt water cap basics.


 > Original poster: "Colin Quinney" <crquin-at-rogers-dot-com>
 >
 > Hi,
 >
 > I have a question. First off I should say I have never built a coil, and
my
 > experience with high voltage is so far limited to less than 30 Kv. I
 > thought salt water being a conductor would just short out a cap. What is
 > the advantage over using pure distilled water. Why does it work? How does
 > it work? Oops that's four questions. Sorry, I'm sure it's a common
question
 > for newbies. Is there a FAQ or is the answer in the archives? Thanks.
 >
 > Best Regards,
 > Colin Quinney
 >
 >